What is it about burgers? When the craving comes, it’s purely primal. Just the thought of one makes our pulse quicken. Whether you like it thick or thin;
naked or dressed; born of beef, beans, or bison (check out our anything-but-ordinary Wild Things!); served on a bun or brioche; everyone has their idea how
best to build this architectural wonder. Given that most menus in the Baltimore area have at least one version, there’s no one, right way to get your
burger fix on. From hipster hangouts to bona-fide burger houses, and even a biker bar, our list could go on and on, but here are some of our favorites.

Abbey Burger BistroSimply AJ10

There’s nothing simple about this Kobe beef burger. For starters, it’s named after its number-one fan: Orioles center-field star Adam Jones. He orders the
English muffin marvel—jazzed up with bacon, avocado, jalapeños, pepper-jack cheese, and chili-pepper mayo—every time. (The golden tater tots and nacho
cheese accompaniment also hit it out of the park. ) Can’t conceive consuming such a creative colossus? It helps that $1 from each purchase goes to charity. Wild Thing: The menu boasts a veritable zoo of options like duck, kangaroo, ostrich, and boar, but we say take a bite of bison. (And while
you're at it, throw a fried egg on it.) The ranch-raised meat is all the rage, and this example is enhanced by textural touches such as bleu cheese
crumbles and the crunch of an onion ring. 1041 Marshall St., 443-453-9698

The goods at Abbey Burger Bistro.

AlewifeSmoke Burger

Delivered to the table with a wooden-handled steak knife piercing its brioche-bunned dome, the Smoke Burger at this west-side gastropub is built to
impress. But if the meat were meager, the trappings would be all smoke and mirrors. Thankfully, the burger lives up to its presentation, boasting a
whopping 11 ounces of beef, smoked Gouda and Gruyère, three sizable strips of applewood-smoked bacon, onions, and a smear of chipotle aioli for
good measure. It’s not on the menu, but burger insiders know this is the one to order. 21 N. Eutaw St., 410-545-5112

Bluegrass TavernRoseda Farm Dry-Aged Burger

Known for its extensive bourbon list and Southern staples like chicken and waffles, Bluegrass Tavern has been providing us with comfort food since it
opened in South Baltimore in 2010. The signature burger—that’s dry-aged beef, apple-wood smoked cheddar, grilled red onions, bacon, Creole mayo, lettuce,
and tomato on a heavenly brioche bun—is no exception. Undertones of smoke, char, and spice deliver one of the heartiest and most satisfying burgers
around. The meal comes with a generous portion of hand-cut fries and a ramekin of house-made ketchup that’s scented with cinnamon. Good luck cleaning your
plate. 1500 S. Hanover St., 410-244-5101

Bobby’s Burger PalaceL.A. Burger

When you’re craving a burger, this beaut—juicy, messy, piled high with toppings, a whole spill-out-of-the-bun affair—definitely gets the job done. Needless to say, napkins are required.The burgers here are cooked exactly to order (there’s a fine line between medium rare and medium, but Bobby’s knows nuance) and feature novel toppings. The L.A., draped with cheddar, a drop of avocado relish, and several sprigs of nutty
watercress, is seemingly straight out of a California flavor lab. “Crunchify” it by adding a layer of chips between the buns at no added cost. Multiple locations, including 515 Virginia Ave., Towson, 410-296-7227

Every day is bun day at Bobby’s Burger Palace; a side of fries at the ready; the scene at Bobby’s Burger Palace.

– Michael Crook

Burger Bros.Bacon Cheeseburger

There isn’t a lick of pretension at Towson’s Burger Bros., starting with the minimalist menu of just three basic burger options: a hamburger, a
cheeseburger, a bacon cheeseburger—that’s it. The default meat is Creekstone Farms premium Angus beef, but you can swap that out for turkey or portobello
mushrooms. We opted for a bacon cheeseburger with pickles, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and ketchup—standard enough, but the details sold us: the smoky char on
the grill-lined burger, the lightly browned bun, the carefully stacked toppings that don’t spill out on first bite. It’s just what we want from a good
burger—nothing more, nothing less. 14 Allegheny Ave., Towson, 410-321-1880

Bacon cheeseburger and a side of onion rings at Burger Bros.

Clark BurgerThe Full Mountie

Fear not this poutine-slathered masterpiece smothered in savory gravy, covered with crumbles of cheese curd, and even topped with a few French fries. The
Canadian-American mash-up is worth every ounce of decadence. Made with Black Angus beef and served on a toasted brioche bun (the kind that becomes one with
your hands as you press it into your paws), it's a rich reward best eaten with special house-made sauces, a side of garlic frites, and a spiked
milkshake. Its name is a nod to TheFull Monty, after all, so follow suit and go big. 5906 York Road, 410-323-2356

Flipping for burgers; the fixin' assembly line; digging in at Clark Burger.

Curb ShoppeClassic Cheeseburger

This Mount Washington pub has been serving cheap pints and some of the city’s best burgers since the 1940s. On its greasy-spoon menu, there are six patties
to choose from, like bacon-mushroom-Swiss and a Southwest version with jalapeños and pepper-jack cheese. But with the O’s on the TV overhead and Buds by
the bottle, go for the classic cheeseburger, topped with the bare necessities—we’re talking cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion—and served in a little red
basket with pickles and Utz. Basic, yes, but far from boring. 5736 Falls Road, 410-433-8299

Daniels RestaurantBacon Cheeseburger

Just over the Patapsco River and Howard County line, this Route 1 biker bar has been blazing up some of the state’s best burgers since 1975. With Guns
& Roses
on the radio and Natty Boh on tap, it’s
the go-to roadside joint for friendly gatherings and juicy bacon burgers. Picture this: six ounces of grilled ground chuck topped with four thick strips of
crispy bacon and a pile of fresh fixings on a soft white bun. Park your Harley out front, grab a stool on the roadside porch or a picnic table in the back,
and dig into this HoCo classic. 5854 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, 410-796-4678

The DizzChesapeake Burger

How do you Baltimore-ize something as all-American as a burger? Easy. Put some crab dip on it, hon! The Chesapeake Burger at The Dizz in Remington is a
perfect example. One of the stalwart dive’s many burger options, the Chesapeake is a six-ounce patty of ground Black Angus beef drenched in a heaping
helping of creamy crab dip and then coated with a layer of melted cheddar. Is it rich, gooey, and decadent? Yes. Is it worth it? Duh. 300 W. 30th St., 443-869-5864

Dooby’s Kimch'i Burger

Yes, you could come here and happily tuck into a bowl of ramen or a stack of Korean-fried chicken wings, but then you’d miss one of the best boutique
burgers around: a hefty mass blanketed by cheddar and anchored by a brioche bun. But what makes it stand out is a simple hit of high-caliber house-made
kimch'i (from a closely guarded family recipe belonging to owner Phil Han and kept cold in a special refrigerator). Don’t forget to liberally apply some
gochujang aioli (it's house-made, too). This burger is a two-handed affair if there ever was one. 802 N. Charles St., 410-609-3162

Hamilton TavernCrosstown Burger

We’re not sure why Hamilton Tavern named its signature burger the Crosstown, but we’d believe it if they told us that the inspiration was because people
will drive “’crosstown” for it. This stacked stunner starts with Roseda Farm beef, then tops that with shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion, and a
dollop of horseradish-cheddar mayo. Do not proceed without the “sticky-spicy” bacon add-on, which beguiles with hints of molasses and brown sugar. The
unexpected sweetness is the perfect counterbalance to the savory base. And while there’s nothing wrong with the side of fries or chips that accompanies the
burger, we strongly urge substituting the Natty Boh-battered onion rings. The golden, glistening loops run circles around the fries any day. 5517 Harford Road, 410-426-1930

LAY IT ON THICK!

Here’s how to land your burger on the best-dressed list.

Barbecue Sauce
Whether tomato- or vinegar-based, this sweet/spicy sauce is a reliable topping choice. Dial up the sweetness with molasses or brown sugar sauce, or amp up
the spice with a mustard and black pepper version.

Sriracha
At foodie establishments, this chile-based hot sauce is becoming as ubiquitous as good-old Heinz 57. Not that we’re complaining. It can boost a burger from
humdrum to hot damn with just a squirt.

horseradish
A small dollop of this pungent sauce enlivens any assemblage with notes of tang, spice, and heat.

– David Colwell

Iron RoosterWaffle Burger

The signature burger should come as no surprise at the Iron Rooster, the go-to breakfast-all-day spot in Canton. A patty of ground beef brisket comes
sandwiched between light-as-air waffles, and includes a tasty garlic aioli and your choice of cheese. Bacon is an option (and it’s free, so that’s a
no-brainer). Add an egg for an additional $1. We ordered the whole thing with the runny egg, smoky bacon, and cornmeal waffle bun, and it was the ideal
brunch entree. Wild Thing: Equally impressive was the shrimp burger fashioned from giant chunks of shrimp and topped with roasted red
peppers, lettuce, tomato, and a smoky paprika rémoulade. It’s akin to a crab cake sandwich, for those on a budget.
3721
Boston St., 410-762-2100

Kooper’s TavernElvis Got the Blues Burger

This Fells Point pub is a neighborhood go-to for perfect pints and patties. You can go bonkers with a BYOB (that’s build-your-own burger—with adventurous
proteins like wagyu and bison and toppings like triple-cream Brie), but we say stick with The King-inspired house classic. Elvis Got the Blues is a
half-pound of Black Angus beef, crowned with bleu cheese, fat strips of smoked bacon, and served on a buttery brioche bun.
(Pro tip: Douse this bad boy in some BBQ sauce.)
Wild Thing:
Got a beef with beef? The lamb burger—with garlic-herb butter, truffle-tossed arugula, and a heap of tangy feta cheese—is a solid savory alternative. Multiple locations, including1702 Thames St., 410-563-5423

LoboCheeseburger Tartare

This dish isn’t for the faint of heart, but once you order it, you’ll go back to this Fells Point corner bar again. The “burger” includes raw ground filet,
celery, cheddar cheese, pickle chunks, sesame seeds, and “special sauce” served with toasted bread points. The dish is playful yet sophisticated. Trust us,
you’ll find yourself wondering where it all went. 1900 Aliceanna St., 410-327-0303

The Nickel Taphouse
Leonardo Di-Crab-rio

The burgers at this Mount Washington fave have earned legions of devotees. Starting with Roseda Farm beef and layering options like sautéed mushrooms,
avocado, or Gruyère is a sure-fire recipe for success. But when we visited during Oscar season, we couldn’t resist trying the Burger of the Week, the
Leonardo Di-Crab-rio—a five-ounce patty slathered with crab dip, topped with house-cured bacon, and served on a brioche bun. It was so savory that it was
gone before we could say, “And the Oscar goes to . . .” 1604 Kelly Ave., 443-869-6240

Pen & Quill
P&Q Burger

The spacious Pen & Quill in Station North is a common destination for post-Charles Theatre snacks, but the P&Q burger is a reason to make it a
destination all its own. The Roseda beef burger—sharp cheddar, aromatic herb aioli, and sweet pickles—is an exercise in balance and beauty. But the real
star here is the bun, a lightly toasted sesame version that would tempt even gluten-free groupies. 1701 N. Charles St., 410-601-3588

While burgers are the bomb, they’d be nothing without fries. “Fries are as close to edible perfection as it gets,” says Blake Lingle, author of Fries!: An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Favorite Food and co-owner of Boise Fry Company Restaurants. “There’s something primeval about
them—the reason we crave them is deep in our DNA.”

Curly Fries
Nothing in the world
is a better vehicle for ketchup than these twisted tubers. The fresh-from-fryer spuds at The Dizz (
300
W. 30th St., 443-869-5864
) make us
dizzy with delight.

STEAK FRITES
These sturdy spuds are the perfect partner to a mound of meat. At Le Garage (911 W. 36th St., 410-243-6300), fat Idaho russets sprinkled with
kosher salt are appealing on their own or when dunked into a kicky Gochujang sauce.

TATER TOTS
These cylindrical deep-fried morsels might be tiny, but their flavor is mighty. Whether smothered in chili or jumbo-lump crab dip, or served “tot-chos”
style, at Alexander’s Tavern (710 S. Broadway, 410-522-0000) they’re a satisfying prelude to a patty.

“You get emotional the first time you have it,” says our bartender as he served us this baby burger. “Some even say it’s a religious experience.” And boy,
is he right: With its tender wagyu beef topped with seared foie gras, red onion marmalade, chopped chives, and a swoosh of truffle aioli, Salt’s
char-grilled slider is a must for your Baltimore bucket list. It may be small in stature, but it is more than mighty in taste. When it’s gone, don’t be
surprised if the tears start to flow. (Find solace in an order of duck-fat fries.) 2127 E. Pratt St., 410-276-5480

Shake Shack
Smoke Shack

We’re skeptical when a national burger chain comes to town. We clearly have a lot of great options, so why shell out to the big guy? Enter the Smoke Shack
at Shake Shack. The Inner Harbor spot has tons of options, but this one trumps them all with its Angus beef flat-top patty, cheddar, apple-wood smoked
bacon, cherry peppers that are sweet and full of heat, and a dousing of patented ShakeSauce (like a pickle-y Thousand Island). 400 E. Pratt St., 443-973-3630

Smashburger
Truffle Mushroom Swiss Burger

The best burgers are not too thick (our mouths can open only so wide) or too thin (where’s the beef?). At this Howard County favorite, the meat-to-bun
ratio is just right and the patty, pressed to perfection on a griddle, is seared, and seasoned to order. We flipped for the fungal flavors of the
truffle-mayo, crimini-mushroom, Swiss-melted masterpiece. Matchstick fries make the whole shebang even more memorable. 9535 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, 410-505-4900

A Smashburger offering with bacon and onion rings.

Towson Tavern
The Truth and the Tavern Burgers

At any given time, there are at least two burgers on the menu at this sophisticated suburban spot. A recent addition to the menu is called “The Truth.”
This creative concoction combines Creekstone Farms beef, fried leeks, tomato-bacon jam, candied bacon, and rosemary-infused Asiago cheese for a mature take
on a picnic staple. And while we can handle The Truth, equally worthy is the restaurant’s Tavern Burger, which layers the beef with prosciutto, cheddar,
Bibb lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, and a Boursin spread that our waiter described as “edible sex.” Its oniony creaminess did make the whole thing sing,
though we’ll leave it to you to decide if the analogy is apt. 516 York Road, Towson, 410-337-7210

Vagabond Sandwich Company
Boo Boo Burger

We’re still dreaming of the Boo Boo burger with bacon and bleu cheese at this Bel Air burger joint. It’s a beacon of simplicity done just right. Wild Thing: While beef paired with peanut butter, black raspberry jelly, and bacon might seem like a kitchen-sink concoction, the P. B.
& J. burger is subtly sweet, salty, and smoky. Try it or learn to live with regret. 111 Thomas St., Bel Air, 410-838-1263

Victoria Gastro Pub
Mushroom & Swiss Wagyu Burger

Some wholes are even better than the sum of their parts. Such is the case with the mushroom-Swiss rendition at Victoria Gastro Pub. It’s a melty mess
cloaked in Gruyère, then piled high with onions, mushrooms, pickles, and near-illegal levels of aioli on both sides of a challah bun. In other words, holy
cow. 8201 Snowden River Parkway, 410-750-1880

IN A PICKLE

WHY PATTIES AND PICKLES ARE THE PERFECT PAIRING.

Though the burger-and-fry relationship has been a lasting one, the recent rise of artisan pickles has been jazzing up beef patties all over town. Whether
it’s Tanner’s smoky bourbon bread-and-butter pickles on Alewife’s Yard Burger or the house-made habanero pickle chips at Abbey Burger Bistro, no burger is
complete without these fermented favorites. Pickles have become so popular, they’re a dish in their own right. (At Lobo, there’s even a dedicated pickle
plate, with house brine that is something out of a dream.) “Pickles are great on a burger because that sharp vinegar bite cuts through the fat and
accentuates the flavor of the beef,” explains Evan Tanner, owner of Tanner’s Pickles. “Plus, you get that distinct crunch.” Whether put on a patty, served
in spears on the side, or just fried, these vinegary winners are a crucial complement. “[Pickles] cleanse the palate,” sums up Tanner, “and make each bite
fresh and anew.” —Jess Mayhugh